Elastomeric spring

Abstract

An elastomeric spring including an elongated elastomeric body defining a longitudinal axis for the spring and having first and second longitudinal ends. An outer surface of the elastomeric body extends between the first and second ends and has four generally planar sides, with each planar side of the outer surface being disposed to one side of and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spring so as to reduce radial bulging of the spring in all directions when an axial load is applied to the spring. The outer surface of the elastomeric body further includes four angled corner sections extending between the first and second ends of the elastomeric body and disposed a substantially common distance from the longitudinal axis of the spring. One corner section is disposed between any two adjoining sides on the outer surface of the elastomeric body.

1. An elastomeric spring, comprising:
 an elongated elastomeric body for absorbing, dissipating and returning axial loads applied thereto over a full length of said elastomeric body defined between first and second longitudinal ends thereof, and with said elastomeric body defining a longitudinal axis and having an outer surface extending between said first and second ends, with the outer surface on said elastomeric body having four generally equal and generally planar sides, with each generally planar side of said outer surface being disposed a generally common distance from one side of and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spring so as to reduce radial bulging of said spring in all directions when an axial compressive force is applied to said spring, and wherein the outer surface of said elastomeric body further includes four radiused corner sections extending between said first and second ends of said elastomeric body and disposed a substantially common distance both longitudinally and laterally from each other, with one radiused corner section being disposed between any two adjoining generally planar sides on the outer surface of said elastomeric body so as to minimize stress concentrations in said elastomeric body when an axial compressive force is applied to said spring. 
 
   
   
     2. The elastomeric spring according to  claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric body further defines a recess opening to at least one of said first and second ends thereof. 
   
   
     3. The elastomeric spring according to  claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric body further defines a recess opening to said first and second ends thereof. 
   
   
     4. The elastomeric spring according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer forming said body has a plastic strain to elastic strain ratio greater than 1.5 to 1. 
   
   
     5. The elastomeric spring according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastomer forming said body has an orientated molecular structure so as to enhance spring performance. 
   
   
     6. An elastomeric spring having a repeatable force deflection curve with a substantially increasing rate which persists between initial columnar deflection and about 90% columnar deflection of said spring, said spring comprising:
 an elongated elastomeric body having a generally square cross-sectional configuration extending between first and second longitudinally spaced ends for absorbing, dissipating and returning energy applied thereto over a full length of said elastomer body defined between said ends, said elastomeric body defining a longitudinal axis for said spring and has an outer surface extending between said first and second ends, with the outer surface on said elastomeric body having four generally planar sides, with each generally planar side of said elastomeric body being disposed a generally common distance from and to one side of and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spring, and wherein the outer surface of said elastomeric body further includes radiused corner sections extending between said first and second ends of said elastomeric body and spaced a substantially equal distance both laterally and longitudinally from each other, with one radiused corner section extending between any two adjoining and generally planar sides on the outer surface of said elastomeric body to minimize stress concentrations in said elastomeric body when enemy is axially applied to said spring, and with said radiused corner sections being sized such that each generally planar side of said elastomeric body comprises between about 40% and about 60% of an overall width of said spring. 
 
   
   
     7. The elastomeric spring according to  claim 6 , wherein said elastomeric body further defines a recess opening to at least one of said first and second ends thereof. 
   
   
     8. The elastomeric spring according to  claim 6 , wherein said elastomeric body further defines a recess opening to said first and second ends thereof. 
   
   
     9. The elastomeric spring according to  claim 6 , wherein a radial distance between the longitudinal axis of said spring and the generally planar surface defined by any one side on the outer surface of said elastomeric body is less than the distance said sections are spaced from the longitudinal axis of said spring. 
   
   
     10. The elastomeric spring according to  claim 6 , wherein the elastomer forming said body has a plastic strain to elastic strain ratio greater than 1.5 to 1. 
   
   
     11. The elastomeric spring according to  claim 6 , wherein the elastomer forming said body has an orientated molecular structure so as to enhance spring performance. 
   
   
     12. An elastomeric spring having a repeatable force deflection curve with a substantially increasing rate which persists between initial columnar deflection and about 90% columnar deflection of said spring, said spring comprising:
 an elongated copolyesther polymer elastomeric body having a generally square cross-sectional configuration extending between first and second longitudinally spaced ends for absorbing, dissipating and returning axial forces applied thereto over a full length of said elastomer body defined between said ends, said elastomeric body defining a longitudinal axis and with said first and second longitudinal ends of said elastomeric body being disposed generally normal to said axis such that axial forces applied to said spring are applied across the entire area of each end, and with said elastomeric body further defining an inner surface and an outer surface each extending between said first and second ends of said body so as to define a wall thickness for said spring, with the outer surface of said elastomeric body having four generally planar sides extending between the first and second ends of said elastomeric body, with each generally planar side on the outer surface being disposed a substantially common distance to one side of and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spring, and wherein the outer surface of said elastomeric body further includes radiused corner sections disposed a substantially constant distance both laterally and longitudinally from each other and extending between said first and second ends of said elastomeric body and between any two generally planar and adjoining sides of said elastomeric body to minimize stress concentrations in said elastomeric body when axial forces are applied thereto, and with said elastomeric body being configured such that the wall thickness of said spring progressively increases along a line extending from said longitudinal axis and generally normal to one of said generally planar surfaces on said outer surface of said elastomeric body and any one of said radiused corners so as to reduce radial bulging of said spring in all directions when an axial load is applied to said spring, and with said radiused corners being sized such that each generally planar side of said elastomeric body comprises between about 40% and about 60% of an overall width of said spring. 
 
   
   
     13. The elastomeric spring according to  claim 12 , wherein the elastomer forming said body has a plastic strain to elastic strain ratio greater than 1.5 to 1. 
   
   
     14. The elastomeric spring according to  claim 12 , wherein the elastomer forming said body has an orientated molecular structure so as to enhance spring performance.